A team of researchers within the Advanced Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC) at NUI Galway have discovered how human respiratory cells respond to the invading Covid-19 virus. The study, published in a special issue of the peer reviewed open access journal Viruses, identified the proteins and carbohydrates on these cells in response to infection from the coronavirus.  The researchers found that our respiratory cells act like well-tuned translators and respond to the invading Covid-19 virus by altering the presence of carbohydrates and proteins on the cell’s surface. The study also revealed that our response to Covid-19 infection is closely similar to how we respond to other viral pathogens.  Professor Lokesh Joshi, Stokes Professor of Glycosciences, said: “It is well known that all pathogens need the right combination of proteins and carbohydrates to attach to their host and infect. “The appropriate combination of this ‘molecular handshake’ determines how well all pathogens, including Covid-19, attach to our cells and the severity of the infection.  “Mutations cause minor changes in these protein-carbohydrate molecules and can alter the infectivity of the mutants and severity of the disease such as the UK, South African and Brazilian variants.” The research shows that in the Covid-19 virus the spike-glycoprotein (S-protein) is covered with carbohydrates and it binds to a protein (ACE-2 receptor) on human respiratory cells to start the infection. Dr Anup Mammen Oommen, Postdoctoral researcher, said: “These microscopic proteins and carbohydrates work together like molecular handshakes between the virus and human cells, this communication where carbohydrates are essential is often taken for granted, though is a key event for infection.”  Dr Stephen Cunningham, Research Fellow, added: “Like all viruses, Covid-19 virus also mutates as it goes through its host and multiplies. Being a RNA virus, mutations can be frequent with the infected cell not being able to correct. Some mutations are insignificant with no beneficial or detrimental impact to virus or host, however, some lead to changes in the virus’s proteins and carbohydrates that can alter how the virus interacts with cells during exposure and infection which in turn can determine severity of Covid-19.” The AGRC researchers at NUI Galway used a data science approach to provide an insight into how our cells modify the surface molecules and advance our understanding of the Covid-19 infection process. Professor Joshi added: “The research will also help us gain better insight on how our immune system responds to Covid-19 and the mutations in the virus, such as the variants identified in the UK, South Africa and Brazil. This discovery will lead to more informative biomarkers and identification of therapeutic targets to combat COVID-19 and future pathogenic agent infections.” The study has been published in the special issue of the journal Viruses and is available https://www.mdpi.com/journal/viruses https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/1/82. Ends

Professor Roger Watson has recently taken up the role as Adjunct Professor of Nursing at the School of Nursing at NUI Galway. A Professor of Nursing at the University of Hull, Professor Watson is also Editor in Chief of Nurse Education in Practice, and an Editorial Board member of the Wiki-Journal of Medicine. Professor Watson is a biology graduate of The University of Edinburgh with a PhD in biochemistry from The University of Sheffield. He qualified in Nursing at St George’s Hospital, London.  Welcoming the announcement Dr Georgina Gethin, Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at NUI Galway, said: “Professor Watson’s contribution to Nursing over his career has been outstanding, evidenced most recently through his appointment as Editor-in-Chief of Nurse Education in Practice. His textbooks have remained part of core curriculum in nursing programmes worldwide. He has provided leadership and acts as a true role-model for Nursing students. We are honoured that he has been appointed to the School of Nursing and Midwifery as an Adjunct Professor and look forward to working with him to continue to advance the mission of the school and contribute to improving the lives of the people we serve through our education, research and public engagement.” Professor Watson said: “I am very pleased to be invited to work with colleagues in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at NUI Galway as an Adjunct Professor and I look forward to the next three years. The School is well regarded nationally and internationally and it is my honour to be associated with it." Professor Watson’s specialised interest area is feeding and nutritional problems of older people with dementia. He holds honorary and visiting positions in China, Hong Kong, and Australia. He was a member of the UK 2008 Research Assessment Exercise sub-panel for Nursing and Midwifery and a 2014 Research Excellence Framework sub-panel for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy. In 2017 Professor Watson was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. -Ends-

Two NUI Galway students have been awarded scholarships by multinational technology company Intel as part of its programme to encourage the next generation of high-achieving women. The successful students are Eimear McDonnell, from Westport, Co Mayo, in third year BSc Environmental Health and Safety and Emily Metadjer, from Shrule, Co Mayo, in second year BSc Computer Science and Information Technology. The Intel Women in Technology scholarship programme aims to encourage a new generation of high-achieving women to take up the challenge of a career in science and technology and to empower them by fostering educational opportunities. Dr Marie Coggins, lecturer in Exposure Science in NUI Galway’s School of Physics, which secured an Athena Bronze Award in 2020, said: “The scholarship is a tremendous achievement and gives the students excellent opportunities in terms of work experience, learning and applying their knowledge in a world class multinational. “Environmental Health and Safety professionals play a key role in managing environmental and occupational hazards across a range of sectors and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role of this profession in protecting the health of workers, our community and society. Eimear is in third year of NUI Galway’s internationally accredited Environmental Health and Safety programme, which offers excellent job prospects, with graduates immediately qualified to work having gained the essential academic and practical skills required to execute the role in any sector, on any continent and the Intel scholarship is a huge plus.” Eimear McDonnell said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been selected. It’s an excellent opportunity for me to progress my studies and to get a work placement with Intel, a world renowned company, that will give me invaluable experience and will undoubtedly influence my career.” Professor Michael Madden, Head of NUI Galway’s School of Computer Science, said: “We are delighted that Emily has secured this scholarship. We are very keen to support young women, as they are under-represented in the field of Computer Science nationally and internationally. As well as the financial award, the scholarship includes mentoring, which is valuable for nurturing young talent and helping students to achieve their high potential.” Eimly Metadjer said: “I am extremely grateful to have received this scholarship from Intel, one of the foremost tech companies in the world. This is not just a huge opportunity for me personally, but this scholarship is extremely important to help bridge the gender gap in computer science and to encourage and enable women in technology.” The Intel Women in Technology scholarship program offers a monetary grant, valued at €3,000 per annum, as well as opportunities for work placements at the Intel Leixlip and Shannon campuses. Each scholar is also assigned a mentor who is an Intel employee to assist and provide advice on managing their academic career. Since the Intel Women in Technology scholarship program began 15 years ago, it has supported 129 students and a total of €1,675,000 has been invested in the initiative to date. Ends